Fillies, fields and foals

We had been getting used to having a winner a week during the past month so it was a shame we couldn't get another on the board after some near misses over the last seven days.
We were hoping the return to the all-weather would spark some life back into Vastly after a few disappointing runs and the trick worked as he narrowly went down on Thursday. The one mile distance at that track was probably a bit on the sharp side for him but now we know he really is an all-weather horse, we can keep him to that surface and hopefully win very soon.
At the same track a few days later, Automotive had a lot to prove after a series of let-downs and if he didn't perform this time, we were going to sell him. However, someone must have told him as he put up a career best and was beaten by just a head. Hopefully, we have found out the right way to ride him now so let's just pray he doesn't let us down anymore!

Anyway, there's no point on dwelling what has happened as we have plenty to keep us busy this week.
Believe In Me showed glimmers of promise as a two-year old last season but with a winter holiday under her belt, she has strengthened up a lot and is now ready for a run. She heads to Brighton on Thursday and although she may be a bit ring-rusty still, I hope she can go well.
On Saturday morning, she galloped alongside an un-named filly by Firebreak. Obviously, her owner will need to giver her a name before she races but she isn't too far off making her debut.

Firebreak filly (Jimmy Quinn) & Believe In Me (Annelie)

I ride out Entrance everyday and I couldn't be happier with her ahead of her seasonal reappearance at Lingfield on Friday. She's probably a bit better on the turf but opportunities are limited at the minute. She didn't do much last year but that was probably my fault as I thought turning her out in the field everyday after exercise would do her good but it had the opposite effect as she thought she was on a permanent holiday and didn't try too hard at the races. Things seem different now though and I hope we can see some improvement.
Tiger's Home didn't back up her really good run at the beginning of the year last time but she seems in good form and has been given a bit of a break to freshen up. She'll be tackling Brighton's unique undulations for the first time on Thursday but if she can handle the track, I hope she can put in a good show.

Entrance & Tiger's Home (Alfie)

Whilst the recent wet spell has been good for some, it has been a nightmare for No Such Number as he hates soft ground. However, we have to keep him in top form just in case we do get a dry spell soon so he accompanied the un-raced Sheila's Heart in a good gallop.
Sheila has thrived since being gelded and is getting closer and closer to making his debut every day. I reckon he'll be ready in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got.

No Such Number (Billy) & Sheila's Heart (Ross)

Primrose Posy is another who has come on leaps and bounds recently so she'll be more than ready for her first run at Newmarket on Saturday. Although she isn't good enough to win first time out, she definitely has the ability to be winning this season.
Along with her went Al Sahraa who is a big, green filly and still needs some education.

Primrose Posy (Shelley) & Al Sahraa (Scott)

Sunday is a big chill-out day for the horses (and us!) as none of them get ridden out. As part of the down-time, we like to turn the horses out in the various fields we have on our 40-acre stud. You have to separate the boys from the girls though as they start to get a bit protective even though they are all gelded!


The Boys with Silver Alliance foreground

The Mushroom of the Week Award goes to yard apprentice Shelley Birkett who managed to lose her hat silk up the canter and had to ride the rest of the way home with what is known in the game as the 'Cannonball' look.

Mushroom of the Week

Some great news this week was that our two mares (Bavarica and Bushy Dell) returned from their maternity ward with their two foals. The babies are now three months old and their rate of growth is phenomenal. There's no better sight than mares with their foals in the field and I encourage you all to pop in and have a look at them.